food for
energy and
health 4-5
Activity
Grade: Basic/4-5
Energy Tag
Objective:
Students will identify
the amount of energy
provided in one gram of
carbohydrates, fat and
protein.
Explanation:
Equipment:
• Poly Spots
• Small Foam Balls
Fat provides 9 calories in each gram. Exercises that are low in intensity
will use fat as their energy source.
Our bodies receive energy from the food we eat every day (Energy In,
Energy Out). Energy in food is measured by the number of calories
it contains. The energy in food is found in the three macronutrients:
carbohydrates fat and protein.
Carbohydrates provide 4 calories in each gram. Exercises that are
higher in intensity will use carbohydrates as their energy source.
Protein provides 4 calories in each gram and is used primarily to build
and repair muscle.
Directions:
FOOD FOR ENERGY AND HEALTH 4-5
1. Create multiple triangles with poly spots throughout the play
area.
2. Separate students into groups of three.
3. Have each group of students find a triangle to play catch
around.
4. Students throw and catch a small foam ball using proper form.
5. On the signal to stop, the student with the ball becomes the
tagger. The tagger represents carbohydrates and attempts
to tag other students as they all run to the right around the
triangle.
• If a student is tagged by the tagger representing
carbohydrates, he/she steps inside the triangle and performs
4 rocket blasters. This demonstrates that there are 4 calories
in 1 gram of carbohydrate.
6. Students will resume throwing and catching after tagged
students have completed 4 rocket blasters.
7. On the signal to stop, the student with the ball becomes the
tagger. This tagger represents fat and attempts to tag the
other two students as they all run to their right around the
triangle.
• If a student is tagged by the tagger representing fats, he/
she steps inside the triangle and performs 9 jumping jacks
because there are 9 calories in 1 gram of fat.
8. Students will resume throwing and catching after tagged
students have completed 9 jumping jacks.
9. On the signal to stop, the student with the ball becomes the
tagger. This tagger represents proteins and attempts to tag
other students as they all run to the right around the triangle.
• If a student is tagged by the tagger representing protein, he/
she steps inside the triangle and performs 4 push-ups. This
demonstrates that there are 4 calories in 1 gram of protein.
(continued)
2.27
© 2003 Focused Fitness All rights reserved.
food for
energy and
health 4-5
Activity
Energy Tag – Cont’d
10. Students will resume throwing and catching after tagged students
have completed 4 push-ups.
11.On the signal to stop, the student with the ball will represent the
nutrient selected by the teacher and attempt to tag other students
while they all run to the right around the triangle.
• This will provide the students an opportunity to demonstrate
the correct calories contained in 1 gram of carbohydrates, fat or
protein.
Assessment:
At the end of the activity, ask students to identify the correct number of
calories per gram of carbohydrates, fat and protein.
= Poly Spots
= Students
= Small Foam Ball
FOOD FOR ENERGY AND HEALTH 4-5
© 2003 Focused Fitness All rights reserved.
2.28